Apparatus for ultrasonic examination of deformable object

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to an apparatus for an ultrasonic examination of a deformable object, particularly, the breast. More particularly, the present invention relates to an apparatus capable of performing an ultrasonic examination by moving an ultrasonic probe while maintaining the position and shape of a deformable object to be inspected. That is, the present invention relates to an apparatus capable of performing an effective ultrasonic by scanning an entire deformable object such as the breast at one time using a movable ultrasonic probe. The apparatus of the present invention comprises a supporting frame; a movable means which has a flat surface with rigidity widthwise on which the deformable object is placed and is installed in the frame to move forward and rearward at a certain moving distance in a longitudinal direction of the frame; a driving means for moving the movable means forward and rearward; and at least one ultrasonic probe disposed to extend widthwise of the movable means, a ultrasonic wave transmission/reception surface of the ultrasonic probe being substantially flush with an upper surface of the movable means, the ultrasonic probe being fixed to the movable means at a position inward form longitudinal both ends of the movable means by a distance smaller than the moving distance of the movable means.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to an apparatus for an ultrasonicexamination of a deformable object, particularly, the breast. Moreparticularly, the present invention relates to an apparatus capable ofperforming an ultrasonic examination by moving an ultrasonic probe whilemaintaining the position and shape of a deformable object to beinspected. That is, the present invention relates to an apparatuscapable of performing an effective ultrasonic examination by scanning anentire deformable object such as the breast at one time using a movableultrasonic probe.

BACKGROUND ART

Generally, breast cancer is the most common carcinoma in the Westerncountries, and also has a high frequency of occurrence together withcervical cancer and stomach cancer for Korean women. To diagnose breastcancer, mammography is generally used as a primary diagnosis. Themammography has been widely used since it has an advantage in that adiagnosis can be very simply made. However, if the tissue of the breastis very dense, diagnostic sensitivity and specificity are considerablylowered. Especially, in case of Korean women, since the tissue of thebreast is denser than that of Western women, the effectiveness of themammography is greatly lowered and diagnosis of breast cancer is verydifficult.

Recently, instead of the mammography, an ultrasonic examination has beenintroduced and used. The ultrasonic examination does not involve a riskof radiation, and can diagnose a small tumor having a size of 2 to 3 mmdue to significant improvement of image processing technology.Conventional ultrasonic examination methods include an examinationmethod in which an inspector holds an ultrasonic probe of about 5centimeters and moves it on a desired region of a standing subject to beexamined. However, the method requires much time and manpower forcarrying out the examination, and is very inefficient for mass screeningexamination. Further, such an examination process gives physical fatigueto an inspector and causes a subject to feel discomfort and shame.Furthermore, since the inspector moves the ultrasonic probe with his/herhand to perform the examination, only the inspector can know informationon an examined location of an object to be examined. Thus, this maycause incorrect recordation of examination results. In addition, thereare problems in that the examination process depends mostly onsubjective evaluation by the inspector and reliability may be loweredunless the inspector has much skill in the examination. Moreover, theultrasonic probe should be completely in close contact with the objectto be examined to correctly perform the examination. However, when theexamination is carried out, the ultrasonic probe and the object to beexamined are not completely in close contact with each other so that agap is formed therebetween and the results of diagnosis becomes veryincorrect. In particular, in a case where the subject maintains astanding posture during the examination, since an upper side of thebreast is pressed while a lower side thereof is supported, the subjectfeels a pain so that the subject may tend to avoid the examination.Further, in a case where the subject lies on his/her back or stomachduring the ultrasonic examination, since the examination procedure isvery complicated, the efficiency of the examination apparatus islowered. Moreover, since the subject goes through an examination in anuncomfortable posture, the subject feels physical fatigue.

International Patent Application Publication No. WO 83/02053 disclosesan apparatus capable of performing an ultrasonic examination of adeformable object, wherein the breast is placed on an ultrasonicallytransparent plate through which ultrasonic waves can pass and anultrasonic sensor is moved below the plate. An object of the patentapplication is to provide an examination apparatus that can perform anultrasonic examination in a posture in which the results of an X-rayexamination and the results of an ultrasonic examination can be morecorrectly compared with each other. In the examination apparatusdisclosed in the patent application, however, since the plate throughwhich the ultrasonic waves pass has not sufficient rigidity, deformationoccurs when the breast is placed on the plate. Therefore, there is adrawback in that correct location information on the examination resultscannot be obtained. If the thickness of the plate through which theultrasonic waves pass is increased in order to prevent deformation,there are drawbacks in that an image is not clear and examinationresults are incorrect.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

The present invention is conceived to solve the aforementioned problems.An object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for anultrasonic examination, wherein a subject can simply go through anexamination in a standing posture and a location of a deformable objectsuch as the breast corresponding to ultrasonic examination results canbe accurately obtained.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus foran ultrasonic examination, wherein an object to be examined can beautomatically scanned from a lower portion thereof without holding anultrasonic probe with a hand by an inspector and the ultrasonic probecan come into contact with the object to be examined by means of gravitywithout pressing the object to be examined, in particular, to provide anapparatus for an ultrasonic examination, wherein when a gel pad is used,an ultrasonic examination can be performed in a state where theultrasonic probe is completely in close contact with the object to beexamined while the object to be examined presses the gel pad.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus foran ultrasonic examination, wherein an ultrasonic examination can bequickly performed by moving an ultrasonic probe in a state where thelocation and shape of a deformable object to be examined are maintained,thereby examination with this apparatus can be efficiently performed incase of mass screening of breast cancer.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide anapparatus for an ultrasonic examination, wherein the height andorientation of the apparatus can be freely adjusted according to aphysical figure of a subject and a region thereof to be examined.

According to the present invention for achieving the objects, there isprovided an apparatus for an ultrasonic examination, comprising asupporting frame; a movable means which has a flat surface with rigiditywidthwise on which the deformable object is placed and is installed inthe frame to move forward and rearward at a certain moving distance in alongitudinal direction of the frame; a driving means for moving themovable means forward and rearward; and at least one ultrasonic probedisposed to extend widthwise of the movable means, a ultrasonic wavetransmission/reception surface of the ultrasonic probe beingsubstantially flush with an upper surface of the movable means, theultrasonic probe being fixed to the movable means at a position inwardfrom longitudinal both ends of the movable means by a distance smallerthan the moving distance of the movable means.

In the apparatus of the present invention, the movable means maycomprise a caterpillar consisting of a plurality of links each of whichhas a flat surface, a pair of rollers for internally supporting bothlongitudinal ends of the caterpillar, and a pair of supporting membersfor supporting both lateral sides of the caterpillar. At least one ofthe pair of the rollers may be interlocked with the caterpillar to movethe caterpillar in response to the rotation of the roller. The drivingmeans may be coupled to and rotates the interlocked roller. The at leastone ultrasonic probe may be fixedly installed between two links of thecaterpillar.

Further, in the apparatus of the present invention, the movable meansmay comprise a caterpillar consisting of a plurality of links each ofwhich has a flat surface, a pair of rollers for internally supportingboth longitudinal ends of the caterpillar, and a pair of supportingmembers for supporting both lateral sides of the caterpillar, thedriving means may be coupled to and rotates the caterpillar, and the atleast one ultrasonic probe may be fixedly installed between two links ofthe caterpillar.

Furthermore, in the apparatus of the present invention, the ultrasonicprobe is preferably a phased array scanning type probe capable ofexamining a large area.

Moreover, it is preferred that the apparatus of the present inventionfurther comprise a height adjusting means for supporting the frame insuch a manner that the height of the frame can be adjusted, therebyfreely adjusting the height and orientation of the apparatus. Theapparatus may further comprise a height adjusting means for supportingthe frame in such a manner that the height of the frame can be adjusted;and a pressing means fixed to the height adjusting means to press thedeformable object placed on the flat surface of the movable means. Theapparatus of the present invention may further comprise a stand forsupporting the height adjusting means; and a rotational shaft having oneend supported rotatably by the stand and the other end fixed to a sidesurface of the height adjusting means, which is opposite to a sidesurface of the height adjusting means with the frame installed thereon.

Moreover, for a case where the tissue of an affected part is sampled toperform a histologic examination according to examination results, it ispreferred that the ultrasonic examination apparatus of the inventionfurther comprise a pressing means fixed to the height adjusting means topress the deformable object placed on the flat surface of the movablemeans.

The apparatus for the ultrasonic examination of the breast according tothe present invention may comprise a height-adjustable stand; a heightadjusting means connected rotatably to the stand and extendingvertically; a scanning unit that is provided at a side of a lowerportion of the height adjusting means and has an ultrasonic probe; a gelpad placed on the scanning unit; and a pressing means installed to movevertically above the gel pad.

The scanning unit comprises a hollow frame with an open upper face; apair of rollers installed at both side ends of an inner space of theframe; a movable means that is installed around the pair of rollers inthe form of a crawler to move in endless track manner and has an upperouter surface substantially flush with the upper face of the frame; adriving means for moving the movable means in endless track mannerwithin a certain range; and an ultrasonic probe that is linearly andfixedly arranged to the movable means to move in the frame along themovable means and has an upper outer surface substantially flush withthe upper outer surface of the movable means. The driving meanscomprises a motor having a rotational shaft connected to at least one ofthe pair of rollers, and a control unit for controlling the motor.

Further, the scanning unit may comprise a hollow frame having both openside faces; a movable means received in the frame to extrude through theboth open side faces and to reciprocate toward the side faces of theframe; a driving means for reciprocating the movable means; and anultrasonic probe that is linearly arranged within the movable means soas to have an upper surface substantially flush with an upper surface ofthe movable means and reciprocates together with the movable meanswithin the frame.

Moreover, it is preferred that the length of the ultrasonic probe is 15to 20 cm suitable for an examination of the breast.

Furthermore, it is preferred that the stand consist of upper and lowerstands, and the upper stand be inserted into the lower stand to movevertically.

In addition, it is preferred that the gel pad be in a semi-solid gelstate so that the gel pad maintains a certain shape to reduce frictionbetween an object to be examined and the ultrasonic probe and themovable means. It is more preferred that the gel pad be constructed byfilling a gel into an enclosure made of a sonolucent solid or flexiblematerial.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an apparatus for an ultrasonicexamination of the breast according to an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a state where a pressing unit ofthe ultrasonic examination apparatus of FIG. 1 has been moved downward.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a first embodiment of a scanningunit of the ultrasonic examination apparatus according to the presentinvention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a second embodiment of the scanningunit of the ultrasonic examination apparatus according to the presentinvention.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a third embodiment of the scanningunit of the ultrasonic examination apparatus according to the presentinvention.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along line A-A in FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a fourth embodiment of the scanningunit of the ultrasonic examination apparatus according to the presentinvention.

FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken along line B-B in FIG. 7.

EXPLANATION OF REFERENCE NUMERALS FOR DESIGNATING MAIN COMPONENTS IN THEDRAWINGS

10: Lower stand

12: Upper stand

20: Height adjusting means

22: Rotational shaft

40, 140: Ultrasonic scanning unit

42, 142: Frame

44, 144: Flat surface

46, 146: Ultrasonic probe

47: Roller

50: Gel pad

60: Pressing means

62: Guide groove

80: Driving means

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will bedescribed in detail with reference to accompanying drawings. The termsor words used herein should not be construed as being confined to commonmeanings or dictionary meanings but be construed as meanings andconcepts matching with the technical spirit of the present inventionbased on the principle that an inventor can properly define the conceptof a term to describe his/her invention in the best fashion. Therefore,the constitutions described herein and illustrated in the drawings donot cover all the technical spirit of the present invention but aremerely the most preferred embodiments of the present invention. Thus, itshould be understood that various equivalents and modifications can bemade to the embodiments at the time of filing this application.

FIG. 1 is a view showing the entire configuration of an apparatus for anultrasonic examination of the breast according to an embodiment of thepresent invention. Referring to FIG. 1, the apparatus for the ultrasonicexamination of the breast (hereinafter, referred to as “ultrasonicexamination apparatus”) according to the embodiment of the presentinvention is provided with a stand mounted on an installation surface ofan examination site.

The stand consists of a lower stand 10 and an upper stand 12. A portionof the upper stand 12 is inserted into the lower stand 10 to movevertically. That is, the height of a height adjusting means 20 to bedescribed later is adjusted by the vertical movement of the upper stand12. The vertical movement of the upper stand 12 can be accomplished by amechanical means or electric-powered means without being limited to aspecific means. Further, a plurality of wheels not shown may be providedat a lower end of the lower stand 10 to facilitate movement of theultrasonic examination apparatus.

The height adjusting means 20 is coupled to the stands 10 and 12,particularly the upper stand 12. The height adjusting means 20 is a uniton which a variety of devices for an ultrasonic diagnosis and iselongated vertically. At this time, the height adjusting means 20 isfixed to one end of a rotational shaft 22 of which the other end isrotatably supported by the upper stand 12. That is, since the heightadjusting means 20 is elongated vertically, an inclination of the heightadjusting means 20 varies when the height adjusting means is rotated bythe rotational shaft 22. The rotation of the height adjusting means 20can be performed in a mechanical or electric-powered manner. Preferably,the height adjusting means may be remotely controlled by an additionaloperation means not shown for operating the ultrasonic examinationapparatus.

A scanning unit 40 is provided at a side of the height adjusting means20, which is opposite to the side thereof to which the rotational shaft22 is coupled. The scanning unit 40 is to obtain an ultrasonic image foran object to be examined. The detailed structure thereof will bedescribed later. The scanning unit 40 is installed at a portion of alower end of the height adjusting means 20. Preferably, the scanningunit 40 is stably fixed on a supporting frame 41 formed integrally withthe height adjusting means 20.

When an examination is performed, a gel pad 50 is disposed on thescanning unit 40. It is preferred that the gel pad 50 be in a semi-solidgel state so that the gel pad maintains a certain shape to reducefriction between the object to be examined and the ultrasonic probe anda movable means. It is more preferred that the gel pad be constructed byfilling a gel into an enclosure made of a sonolucent solid or flexiblematerial. Moreover, the gel pad 50 is in contact with the scanning unit40, preferably, the movable means within the scanning unit 40 and anupper surface of the ultrasonic probe. In addition, the gel pad 50 madeof a flexible material may be fixed to an upper surface of the scanningunit 40 by means of an additional frame such that the location of thegel pad cannot vary. When the ultrasonic probe 46 scans the object to beexamined, a space formed between the object to be examined and theultrasonic probe 46 is completely filled with the gel pad 50 so that asuperior ultrasonic image can be obtained. In particular, since theenclosure of the gel pad 50 is made of a flexible material, the objectto be examined presses the gel pad 50. Therefore, the space between theobject to be examined and the ultrasonic probe 46 can be completelyeliminated. Of course, the gel pad 50 is made of a known materialthrough which ultrasonic waves can be transmitted without any loss.

A pressing unit 60 is installed at a position spaced apart by a certaindistance upward from the gel pad 50. The pressing unit 60 can be movedvertically along guide grooves 62 formed on an outer surface of theheight adjusting means 20. Although not shown, a driving means forvertically moving the pressing unit 60 is installed within the heightadjusting means 20. Of course, although the pressing unit 60 can bemoved vertically in a mechanical manner, it is preferred that thepressing unit 60 be remotely controlled by an external operation meansso that the vertical movement can be performed in an electric-poweredmanner.

In a state where the object to be examiner is placed on the gel pad 50,the pressing unit 60 is moved downward to press the object to beexaminer. At this time, a state where the pressing unit 60 has beenmoved downward is shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 3 shows a first embodiment of the scanning unit 40 used in theultrasonic examination apparatus according to the embodiment of thepresent invention. In this embodiment, the scanning unit 40 comprises ahollow frame 42 having an at least partially open upper face and agenerally rectangular space formed therein. The movable means isinstalled within the inner space of the frame 42. The movable meanscomprises a pair of rollers 47 installed at both sides 43 of the innerspace of the frame 42 and a belt 45 installed movably while surroundingthe rollers. The belt 45 has a flat upper surface 44 on which the breastas the object to be examined is placed. At least one of the pair ofrollers 47 is coupled to a separate driving means 80 to move the belt 45in endless track manner. The driving means 80 comprises a motor coupledto the roller 47 and a control unit for controlling the motor. Since atechnique for controlling the position of the belt by controlling themotor is obvious to those skilled in the art, a description thereof willbe omitted. Preferably, the other roller which is not coupled to themotor is a driven roller or idle roller and serves to stably guide thebelt 45 when the belt 45 is moved in endless track manner.

The ultrasonic probe 46 is provided at the belt 45. The ultrasonic probe46 is fixedly coupled to the belt 45 such that a transmission/receptionsurface of the ultrasonic probe 46 is substantially flush with the flatsurface 44 of the belt 45 to move together with the belt 45. Preferably,the ultrasonic probe 46 is linearly arranged widthwise of the belt 45,i.e. in a direction perpendicular to the movement direction of the belt45.

That is, it is preferred that the ultrasonic probe 46 have an uppersurface flush with the flat surface 44. Therefore, the flat surface 44and the upper surface of the ultrasonic probe 46 define a single planewithin the inner space of the frame 42. Preferably, the belt 45 ispulled under proper tension to maintain flatness thereof againstvertical pressure, and has flexibility in the movement direction andsufficient rigidity widthwise. In order to prevent the belt 45 frombeing deformed widthwise and to guide the movement thereof, although notshown, a support member may be installed within a space formed betweenupper and lower portions of the belt 45 constituting an endless track.

Preferably, the flat surface 44 and the upper surface of the ultrasonicprobe 46 define the same plane as defined by the adjacent sides of theframe 42 or the entire frame 42. With such a structure, even though thegel pad 50 placed on the flat surface 44 and the ultrasonic probe 46 ismade of a flexible material, the gel pad 50 can be supported stably.Further, even when the object to be examined is pressed by the pressingunit 60, the movable means dose not cause movement or deformation of theobject to be examined and also hardly cause friction between the gel pad50 and the ultrasonic probe 46.

At this time, it is preferred that the linearly arranged ultrasonicprobe 46 have a length of about 15 to 20 cm as a whole and a relativelyvery narrow width. The overall length of the ultrasonic probe 46 shouldbe sufficient to cover the entire object to be examined. Thus, theaforementioned length is determined from such a viewpoint.

The ultrasonic probe 46 is an expensive part that emits an ultrasonicwave to the object to be examined and then receives the reflectedultrasonic wave to obtain an image signal for the object to be examined.Therefore, in order to reduce costs, instead of a single probe having alength of 15 to 20 cm, a plurality of short probes may be connected toone another in end-to-end manner or in a state where some portions ofadjacent probes overlap with each other at their sides, and imageprocessing is performed to cover the entire width defined by the probes.At this time, an important feature of the ultrasonic probe 46 of thepresent invention is that the ultrasonic probe 46 is moved by the belt45 through the entire width of the object to be examined so as toexamine the entire object with single scanning. Although not shown, itis apparent that an additional ultrasonic wave generator is installed toprovide the ultrasonic wave through the ultrasonic probe 46. Further, anadditional Doppler device for analyzing the reflected ultrasonic wave isconnected to the ultrasonic probe 46. As for the ultrasonic probe, it isdesirable to use a phased array scanning type probe capable ofinspecting a large range.

The driving means 80 comprising the motor serves to issue a command tovarious components or obtain necessary information and transmit theinformation to the components according to a processing routineinstalled in the driving means itself or a command of an externaloperating means. For example, when a control unit of the driving means80 determines that the object to be examined is sufficiently pressed bythe pressing unit 60 or receives a command from the external operatingmeans in a state where the object to be examined is placed on the gelpad 50, the control unit issues a driving command to the motor andsimultaneously instructs the ultrasonic probe 46 to emit the ultrasonicwave. Further, the control unit creates an image by using the ultrasonicwave emitted by the ultrasonic probe 46 and reflected from the object tobe examined and stores the created image or transmit the image to anexternal display device.

Although not shown, an additional position sensor is attached to thebelt 45 or the ultrasonic probe 46 of the scanning unit 40 tocontinuously sense the current position of the ultrasonic probe 46. Theposition sensor continuously informs a location at which the ultrasonicprobe 46 currently performs an examination, so that the location can becaused to correspond to a relevant image. This location can be veryusefully utilized later when the apparatus performs a diagnosis of aperson to be examined. That is, when the image is analyzed to diagnose aperson to be examined, the location information obtained from theposition sensor can correctly inform the location of a region of theobject to be examined at which a problem occurs.

Although the control unit has been illustrated as being installed withinthe scanning unit 40, the installation position of the control unit isnot necessarily limited thereto. For example, the control unit may beprovided within the height adjusting means 20 or may be installedseparately outside of the apparatus together with a monitor and the liketo construct a kind of computer that provides general functions such asuser operation, image display and the like.

The ultrasonic examination apparatus according to the present inventionconstructed as above operates as follows.

First, to diagnose a subject, an inspector adjusts the height andinclination of the height adjusting means 20 to be fit for a physicalfigure of the subject. The height of the height adjusting means 20 isadjusted by operating the upper stand 12 upward or downward, and theinclination thereof is adjusted by rotating the rotational shaft 22.Next, in a state where the height and inclination of the heightadjusting means have been adjusted, the subject puts his/her object tobe examined on the gel pad 50, and the pressing unit 60 is then moveddownward to press the object to be examined. The object to be examinedthat has been pressed by the pressing unit 60 is completely in closecontact with the gel pad 50.

When the object to be examined has been completely pressed, the controlunit operates an ultrasonic wave generator (not shown) to emit anultrasonic wave through the ultrasonic probe 46. At the same time, thecontrol unit operates the motor to rotate the roller 47. Thus, the belt45 is slowly moved by the roller 47 in endless track manner. The movablemeans 44 is moved in endless track manner until the ultrasonic probe 46is fully moved from one side to the other side of the object to beexamined. During the movement of the movable means 44, the ultrasonicprobe 46 ultrasonically scans the entire object to be examined at onetime. During the scanning of the object to be examiner, the ultrasonicwave reflected from the object is analyzed by a Doppler device (notshown) and the analysis results are transmitted to the control unit. Theanalysis results are converted into an image that in turn is stored andsimultaneously output to the outside through an additional displaydevice. Further, during the movement of the belt 45, the position sensor(not shown) installed on the belt 45 or the ultrasonic probe 46continuously detects the current location of the ultrasonic probe 46,and transmits the detected location to the control unit to match it withan image corresponding thereto. Accordingly, the image acquired from theobject to be examined is stored while it is matched with the relevantlocation of the ultrasonic probe 46, and a three-dimensional image canbe obtained by using the acquired image.

When the examination process has been completed, the control unit stopsthe operations of the motor and the ultrasonic wave generator.

Meanwhile, when another part of the breast of the subject is intended tobe examined, the above process can be repeated in a state where theother object to be examined is placed on the gel pad 50. Further, when aside of the object is intended to be examined, the examination can beperformed by rotating the height adjusting means 20 through therotational shaft 22.

Although the process of examining an object to be examined by pressingthe object by the pressing unit 60 has been described in thisembodiment, it is possible to perform the examination under the controlof the control unit in a state where the object to be examined is notpressed by the pressing unit.

FIG. 4 shows a second embodiment of the scanning unit used in theultrasonic examination apparatus of the present invention. Although themovable means 40 has been constructed using a belt moving in endlesstrack manner in the embodiment of FIG. 3, a movable means 140 of thisembodiment is constructed to move slidably.

That is, referring to FIG. 4, a frame 142 of the scanning unit 140 haspartially open both side faces and an open upper face. Further, theframe 142 has a hollow configuration in which a space is formed therein.At this time, a movable means 144 generally taking the shape of ahexahedron is installed within the frame 142, and has a length that isapproximately twice as large as the width of the frame 142 so that themovable means 144 can be installed to protrude through the both openside faces 143 of the frame 142. In this state, the movable means 144can be moved slidably toward the both side faces of the frame 142.

Further, an ultrasonic probe 146 similar to that of the embodiment shownin FIG. 3 is linearly arranged within the movable means 144. Atransmission/reception surface of the ultrasonic probe 146 is flush witha flat surface of the movable means 144 to define the same uppersurface. Accordingly, the movable means 144 and the ultrasonic probe 146can stably support the gel pad 50 made of a flexible material.

In this embodiment, a method of moving the movable means 144 can beimplemented in various manners such as a manner in which lower rollersare installed to achieve the movement, and a manner in which a rack anda pinion are used to achieve the movement. However, the method is notlimited to the specific examples. Although the scanning unit 140 of thisembodiment constructed as above differs from the scanning unit shown inFIG. 3 in view of their overall structures and methods of moving themovable means, the scanning unit 140 operates based on the sameprinciple as the scanning unit of FIG. 3. Therefore, a detaileddescription thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 5 is a view showing a third embodiment of the scanning unit used inthe ultrasonic examination apparatus according to the present invention,and FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along line A-A in FIG. 5.

A scanning unit 240 of this embodiment comprises a caterpillar 255consisting of a plurality of links 247 each of which has a flat surface244 on a frame 242, a pair of rollers for internally supporting bothlongitudinal ends of the caterpillar, and a pair of supporting members250 for supporting both lateral sides of the caterpillar 255. Further, adriving means 280 is coupled to at least one of the rollers to rotatethe caterpillar 255. Particularly, at least one ultrasonic probe 246 isfixedly installed between any two links 247 of the caterpillar 255.Moreover, a pair of sprocket wheels 253 are installed on one side of thecaterpillar 255 to move the caterpillar in endless track manner. It isalso possible to insert the sprocket wheels 253 at both ends of thecaterpillar after eliminating the pair of rollers in order to supportthe caterpillar 255. A rotational shaft 254 for at least one of the pairof sprocket wheels 253 is connected to a motor shaft of the drivingmeans 280 to move the caterpillar 255 in endless track manner. Thesupporting members 250 are connected to the frame 242, and therotational shaft 254 of each of the pair of sprocket wheels 253extending outward widthwise is inserted into relevant engagement holes252 of the supporting members 250. Thus, the sprocket wheels 253 arerotatably supported by the supporting members 250.

As shown in FIG. 6, supporting steps 251 of the supporting members 250are inserted into the caterpillar 255 at the both lateral ends thereofto support the lateral ends of the caterpillar 255. The supporting steps251 of the supporting members 250 support the both lateral ends of thecaterpillar 255, so that even though an object to be examined is placedon the flat surface 244 of the caterpillar 255, the caterpillar 255 canbe prevented from sagging due to the weight of the object. That is,since the respective links 247 of the caterpillar 255 have rigiditywidthwise of the caterpillar 255 but are connected to one anotherthrough chain links 259, the flat surface 244 of the caterpillar 255sags due to play of the chain links 249 when the breast or the like isplaced on the flat surface 244 of the caterpillar 255, if there are nosupporting members 250. In this embodiment, however, connections ofadjacent two links 247 are supported by the supporting steps 251 of thesupporting member 250, thereby preventing the sagging phenomenon.Furthermore, although this embodiment has been described by way ofexample as having the single ultrasonic probe 246 installed between thetwo links 247, a plurality of ultrasonic probes 246 may be installedbetween adjacent links 247, respectively.

FIG. 7 is a view showing a fourth embodiment of the scanning unit usedin the ultrasonic examination apparatus according to the presentinvention, and FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken along line B-B in FIG.7.

A scanning unit of this embodiment comprises a caterpillar 355consisting of a plurality of links 347 each of which has a flat surface344 on a frame 342, a pair of rollers 353 internally supporting bothlongitudinal ends of the caterpillar 355, and a pair of supportingmembers 350 for supporting both lateral ends of the caterpillar 355. Atleast one of the pair of the rollers 353 is interlocked with thecaterpillar 355 to move the caterpillar 355 in response to the rotationof the roller. Further, at least one of the rollers 353 is connected toa driving means 380, and at least one ultrasonic probe 346 is fixedlyinstalled between any two links 347 of the caterpillar 355.

As shown in FIG. 7, the interlocking of the roller 353 with thecaterpillar 355 is achieved by a plurality receiving grooves 356longitudinally formed at a regular interval on an outer circumferentialsurface of the roller 355 and by a plurality of insertion surfaces 347 athat have the same cross section in a longitudinal direction and areformed on the back of the flat surface 344 of the links 347 of thecaterpillar 355 so that the insertion surfaces can come into closecontact with the receiving grooves 356. Accordingly, when the roller 353connected to the driving means 380 is rotated, the insertion surfaces347 a of the links 347 of the caterpillar 355 are inserted into thereceiving grooves 356 of the roller 353, thereby moving the caterpillar353 in endless track manner.

The supporting members 350 are fixed to the frame 342. A shown in FIG.8, supporting steps 351 of the respective supporting members 350 areinserted into the caterpillar 355 at the both lateral ends thereof tosupport the lateral ends of the caterpillar 355. The supporting steps351 of the supporting members 350 support the both lateral ends of thecaterpillar 355, so that even though an object to be examined is placedon the flat surface 344 of the caterpillar 355, the caterpillar 355 canbe prevented from sagging due to the weight of the object. Since therespective links 347 of the caterpillar 355 have rigidity widthwise ofthe caterpillar 355 but are connected to one another through wires 349at both ends thereof, the flat surface 344 of the caterpillar 355 sagsdue to the weight of the breast or the like when the breast or the likeis placed on the flat surface 344 of the caterpillar 355, if there areno supporting members 350. In the scanning unit of this embodiment,however, connections of adjacent two links 347 are supported by thesupporting steps 351 of the supporting member 350, thereby preventingthe sagging phenomenon.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

According to the ultrasonic examination apparatus of the presentinvention, a subject can simply go through an examination in a standingposture and a location of a deformable object such as the breastcorresponding to ultrasonic examination results can be accuratelyobtained.

Further, according to the ultrasonic examination apparatus of thepresent invention, an object to be examined can be automatically scannedfrom a lower portion thereof without holding an ultrasonic probe with ahand by an inspector and the ultrasonic probe can come into contact withthe object to be examined by means of gravity without pressing theobject to be examined.

Moreover, according to the ultrasonic examination apparatus of thepresent invention, an ultrasonic examination can be quickly performed bymoving an ultrasonic probe in a state where the location and shape of adeformable object to be examined are maintained, thereby examinationwith this apparatus can be efficiently performed in case of massscreening of breast cancer.

Further, the ultrasonic examination device of the present invention canadjust freely a height and gradient according to a body type of thesubject and can move the ultrasonic probe to examine the overall objectto be examined at once.

Furthermore, the ultrasonic examination apparatus of the presentinvention has advantages in that the height and inclination thereof canbe freely adjusted according to the figure of a subject, and the entireobject to be examined can be examined only at one time while theultrasonic probe is moved. Particularly, in the ultrasonic examinationapparatus of the present invention, a subject directly places an objectto be examined on the gel pad that has been placed on the ultrasonicprobe and causes the pressing unit to press the object, therebyeliminating conventional troublesomeness that an inspector causes theobject to be examined to be in contact with the ultrasonic probe withhis/her hand and then examines the object one by one in order to performa diagnosis. Therefore, there are advantages in that manpower and timerequired for the diagnosis can be drastically reduced and the subjectcan be avoided from discomfort and shame. In addition, since anultrasonic-examination is performed by moving an elongated ultrasonicprobe in the ultrasonic examination of the present invention, a superiorimage can be obtained even at relatively lower costs.

It is intended that the embodiments of the present invention describedabove and illustrated in the drawings should not be construed aslimiting the technical spirit of the present invention. The scope of thepresent invention is defined only by the appended claims. Those skilledin the art can make various changes and modifications thereto withoutdeparting from its true spirit. Therefore, various changes andmodifications obvious to those skilled in the art will fall within thescope of the present invention.

1. A breast scanning device comprising: an endless loop structurecomprising a breast support surface configured to support asubstantially entire portion of a breast that is subject to scanning,wherein the breast support surface is configured to move along anendless loop during scanning such that a portion of the breast supportsurface turns upside down along the endless loop while at the same timethe substantially entire portion of the breast is supported by one ormore other portions of the breast support surface; an ultrasonic probefixed to the endless loop structure and movable along with the breastsupport surface; and a compressor comprising a compressor surfaceopposing the breast support surface and configured to move thecompressor surface toward the breast support surface to press the breastthat is placed over the breast support surface.
 2. The device of claim1, wherein the ultrasonic probe is movable in a scanning direction ofthe breast scanning device.
 3. The device of claim 2, wherein theultrasonic probe is elongated and is fixed to the endless loop structureto extend in a direction generally perpendicular to the scanningdirection.
 4. The device of claim 1, wherein the endless loop comprisesa linear portion and two curved portions, each of which is connected atan end of the linear portion.
 5. The device of claim 4, wherein thebreast support surface comprises a substantially planar portion.
 6. Thedevice of claim 5, further comprising a roller configured to rotate andcause to move the endless loop structure.
 7. The device of claim 6,further comprising a support configured to support a portion of theendless loop structure so as to make at least part of the breast supportsurface substantially planar.
 8. The device of claim 7, wherein thesupport is not movable.
 9. The device of claim 1, wherein the endlessloop structure comprises a belt or a caterpillar track.
 10. A method ofscanning a breast, the method of comprising: providing the breastscanning device of claim 1; placing a breast of a person between thebreast support surface and the compressor surface; moving the endlessloop structure along the endless loop, thereby moving the ultrasonicprobe in a scanning direction; and ultrasonically scanning the breastusing the ultrasonic probe while moving the ultrasonic probe in thescanning direction.
 11. The method of claim 10, wherein the endless loopcomprises a linear portion and two curved portions, each of which isconnected at an end of the linear portion.
 12. The method of claim 10,wherein the scanning direction is substantially parallel to the linearportion.
 13. The method of claim 10, wherein a gel pad is locatedbetween the breast and the breast support surface.
 14. The device ofclaim 1, wherein consecutive portions of the breast support surface areconfigured to sequentially support the breast as the breast supportsurface moves along the endless loop.